Save the Children’s experts in online safety have developed these age-specific tips for parents, teachers and anyone else who may interact with children. You can use these tips to help keep tamariki under the age of 6 safe online.
1. Things to know before you go online
Research shows that babies learn through their interaction with their parents, guardians and caregivers.
Screen time does not support a baby’s development and can be associated with delays. The more infants are exposed to baby media, the fewer words they acquire. Screen time has shown to reduce a baby’s ability to pay attention, and studies have also shown that greater screen time is associated with developmental delays in communication and problem-solving at ages 2 and 4. Time looking at screen takes time away from responsive and playful experiences that build strong brains.
2. Limit exposure
The best way to keep young children safe from technology is to:
- Avoid or delay introducing screen time for as long as possible
- Prioritise face-to-face fun with babies and young children
- Limit screen time as much as you can: they need you to learn and grow
3. For babies under two
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that children under two years of age do not have any screen time and instead, they can play.
Talk, read and play with your baby to help them learn new words and improve their attention.
4. Grow strong brains and show love
- Show your child love through your words and actions
- To help your baby be creative, create a safe play space in your home with a variety of activities, books or soft toys
- To teach your baby new words, talk and play with your baby
- When feeding your baby, give your baby finger foods to self-feed
5. Boredom isn’t always bad
- Give your tamariki something to play with or colour, or a snack to eat
- Remember it is healthy for children to be bored sometimes and have to create their own fun
- When you need a moment for yourself, give your baby something safe, durable and clean from to play with, this can be something in your kitchen.
- It is easier to get children to stop using screens if you start the day with an offline activity
6. Online activities for children over two
If you want to introduce screen time for older children, ensure that the activities are appropriate for your child and that characters speak directly to the child, pausing to let the child respond.
Once over the age of two, it is recommended to limit your child’s screen time as much as possible and to one or two days per week.
7. Set boundaries and stay engaged
- Agree on a routine before you switch on and stick to it
- Stay engaged with what your child is doing on a screen
- Prioritise doing activities together and talk about what you’re doing
8. For older siblings
- Delay and limit screen time as much as possible, especially if they have younger siblings
- Check that the content they are watching is safe for your younger child too